What’s our policy for updating game reviews post-launch content/patches?

In the dynamic landscape of modern gaming, titles rarely remain static after their initial launch. Developers continuously release patches, bug fixes, quality-of-life improvements, and often substantial new content through DLC and expansions. This evolving nature presents a unique challenge for game reviewers: how do we maintain the accuracy and relevance of a review published at launch?

Why Review Updates Matter

A game review serves as a crucial guide for consumers, offering an informed perspective on a title’s quality and value. However, a review written at launch might not accurately reflect the experience of playing the game six months or even a year later, especially if the game has undergone significant transformations. Our goal is to provide reliable information, and understanding when and how to update a review is key to that commitment.

Our Core Philosophy on Review Updates

Our primary objective for a launch review is to capture the game’s state at its release. This serves as a historical record and an immediate guide for those considering an early purchase. Therefore, our standard policy is not to re-score or fundamentally alter original reviews for minor patches, bug fixes, or small content additions. The initial review largely stands as a snapshot of the game as it was experienced at its debut.

Criteria for Re-evaluation or Supplementary Content

Exceptions to our standard policy are made for substantial post-launch developments that fundamentally transform the game’s core experience. These are the situations where we consider re-evaluation or publishing supplementary content:

• Major Expansions or DLC: Significant add-ons that introduce new storylines, game modes, mechanics, or substantially expand the game world often warrant a separate ‘DLC Review’ or an extensive addendum to the original.
• Transformative Patches or Overhauls: Updates that drastically change core gameplay systems, address widespread game-breaking issues that were present at launch, or significantly improve technical performance to a degree that fundamentally alters the player experience.
• Re-releases or Definitive Editions: Games that are re-launched with substantial new content, graphical upgrades, or technical improvements that merit a fresh, comprehensive look.

Transparency and Communication

When we do decide to update or supplement a review, transparency with our readers is paramount. Any changes made to the original review text will be clearly indicated with an editor’s note, detailing the date of the update and the specific reasons for it. For major content additions or overhauls, we may publish a new, separate review or an extensive ‘Revisit’ article. This new content will reference the original review and score, providing a fresh perspective while maintaining the context of the initial assessment.

Balancing Timeliness with Accuracy

Our policy strikes a balance between providing timely launch assessments and acknowledging the ongoing evolution of games. We aim to ensure that our initial reviews remain trusted historical documents, while also offering mechanisms to evaluate and inform readers about significant post-launch developments. This approach underscores our commitment to comprehensive and credible game criticism, always with the reader’s informed decision-making at its heart.